The Real Group : Evolution of Sound

Abstract: Abstract Sara Wall: The Real Group-Evolution  of Sound. Institutionen for musikvetenskap, Uppsala universitet, 2002. 60 p.  The purpose of this thesis is to track the cause of The Real Group's evolution of sound by means of analyzing song recordings from three chronologically  selected albums. The areas of components used for the analysis are self-formulated and based on a variety of material and sources. In order to heighten the reader's understanding of the relatively new and abstract term, sound is described within the realm of pop and rock and applied to a cappellajazz. This is mainly accomplished with the help ofFer-Erik Brolinson and Holger Larsen's  previous studies within the realm of rock. Certain sound components from their analysis have been selected for use in my analysis. In my thesis, the history of a cappella is overviewed, as is the history of The Real Group. Lennart Reimers' essay from Choral music perspectives  is used in combination with American Richard Sparks' book The Swedish Choral Miracle:  Swedish A Cappella Music Since 1945 to describe how The Real Group has been affected by the Swedish a cappella tradition. Reimers'  presents three sets of"isms" that contribute to the formation of the Swedish a cappella tradition and Sparks bases his six components  on Reimers' "isms." The analysis of the songs is based on the following areas of components:  Vocal skill, Choice of repertoire, Diction, Effects processing, Overall "feel" and Text content. The eight selected songs fit into the following categories: Ballads, Upbeat/fast  tempo songs and Swedish songs. The results of the study conclude that the most motivating factors of change include vocal maturity, steadily increased skill, need for musical growth and expansion and change in personal maturity and perspective. The results are highlighted  by personal accounts given by group member Feder Karlsson.